EMT vs. Paramedic

In the field of emergency medical services (EMS), emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are the most common type of health professionals. They take care of patients at the entry-level. If there has been a medical or traumatic emergency, then EMTs are generally called to provide medical care. As the first care providers, they examine the nature and severity of injuries and transfer the patient in a well-equipped vehicle. Then, they inform the hospital about the number of patients being brought in and their injuries and illnesses.

EMTs are also responsible for monitoring a patient’s condition till they reach a hospital and provide them with the care they need. Generally, EMTs and paramedics are sent to emergency sites by 911 operators, where they might work alongside firefighters and the police.

Paramedics are skilled, pre-hospital service providers. They are licensed healthcare professionals and can provide advanced life support to patients before they reach a hospital. Providing care on par with that of an emergency medical room, they are better trained than EMTs at treating acute illnesses and injuries. They have extensive knowledge on subjects such as physiology, cardiology, medical procedures, and medication. Like EMTs, paramedics are usually called to a scene via 911.

EMTs are often employed by private ambulance services, governments, hospitals, fire departments, and police departments. They have a limited scope of practice and work under the supervision of a medical director or physician.

Paramedics can work in ambulance services. In this setting, paramedics and EMTs work together; however paramedics are usually outnumbered by EMTs. They can also work for air ambulances (i.e., helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts that are used to transfer medical patients from one place to another) and fire services. Emergency medical services (EMS) most commonly employs paramedics.

• Moving patients between facilities
• Helping stabilize and treating patients en route to a hospital
• Informing the hospital about the injury or illness, the number of patients being transported, and the expected time of arrival
• Assessing patients
• Maintaining patient records
• Responding to 911 calls for emergency medical assistance
• Using backboards and restraints to keep the patient still and safe in the ambulance during transport
• Providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or bandaging wounds
• Controlling external bleeding
• Preventing shock and further injury in patients

• Stabilizing a patient’s condition, while safely transporting them to a hospital for medical care
• Bandaging patients and elevating the injured part of the patient’s body to stop the bleeding
• Delivering babies in an emergency
• Prioritizing medical care on the spot of the accident to make sure that the most severely injured patients receive care first
• Creating new airways for patients who cannot breath via a tracheotomy or other means
• Providing the necessary medication through an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion
• Sticking needles in the chest to decompress collapsed lungs
• Keeping records of the treated patient and the type of medication the patient received
• Applying pacemakers to control heart arrhythmias
• Providing breathing support with tubes and ventilation devices

To become an EMT, one does not need an associate or bachelor’s degree. It is sufficient to have a high school diploma or GED. However, EMTs should have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. They must complete an EMT training program offered by community colleges and vocational schools. EMT training programs can usually be completed in 150 hours. Students wishing to become successful EMTs must also pass the National Registry Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam.

A paramedic is the highest level of EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification. Paramedics are required to complete training for basic and advanced EMTs and also complete additional studies. Generally, prospective paramedics might work as EMTs for a a year or two to gain on-the-job experience, and then undertake the 1,200 to 1,800 hours of training to become a paramedic. College degree programs for paramedics usually take two years. After completing necessary training, candidates must take the National Paramedic Certification (NPC) exam and required state licensing counterparts (e.g., Oregon Health Authority) to become a certified paramedic.

• University of South Alabama

• University of Washington
• Weber State University
• University of Maryland

EMTs are required to obtain CPR certification, as most EMT training programs require entrants to already possess CPR training. Organizations such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association provide this certification. They are required to obtain the National Registry Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification as most states recognize this certification as an appropriate guarantee of competency. This certification is a requirement in almost every state for becoming a licensed emergency medical technician. In order to receive a license, the EMT must be at least 18 years of age and should have a valid driver’s license.

To become a certified and licensed paramedic you must be at least 18 years old and a high school graduate; have a valid driver’s license; and hold CPR certification. After graduating from a paramedic program, a student is required to become nationally certified through the National Registry Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). However, becoming nationally registered or certified does not guarantee permission to practice. Paramedics must have a license from a state to practice in that state. While some states grant licensure on the basis of NREMT as proof, others have their own tests for providing license.